U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to invoke the rarely used Insurrection Act to quell unrest over federal immigration enforcement operations in Minneapolis. Following a night of protests and vandalism in the Minnesota city after an ICE agent shot a man in the leg, Trump stated he would send in troops.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) reported that the officer involved shot at Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis during a confrontation in which he was allegedly attacked by three Venezuelan nationals armed with a shovel and a broom handle. The unrest follows the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good by an ICE agent, which has led to nationwide protests.
Amid increased tensions between federal agents and civilians, Trump posted on Truth Social indicating that he would activate the Insurrection Act if Minnesota officials do not take action against what he describes as 'professional agitators and insurrectionists.' DHS Secretary Kristi Noem labeled the confrontation a serious threat against federal law enforcement, alleging that the agent was ambushed.
In the wake of these events, Minneapolis has seen growing instability, with protests escalating to confrontations with law enforcement. City mayor, Jacob Frey, and Governor Tim Walz have called for a reduction in hostilities, with Walz making a direct appeal to President Trump for de-escalation. The FBI has responded by deploying around 3,000 federal officers to Minnesota, offering rewards for information regarding the theft and destruction of government property during the protests.
The situation in Minneapolis remains volatile, as local leaders and citizens continue to grapple with the implications of federal immigration enforcement and community safety.
